Israel's Education Minister Cancels National Tests, Sparks Controversy
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Education Minister Yoav Kisch has ordered the immediate cancellation of the national "Mitzav" assessment exams, overriding recommendations from the Moyal Committee. The minister also halted cooperation between his ministry and the National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation (RAAM"A). The decision impacts upcoming math tests for ninth graders and follows previous attempts by Kisch to block the release of low student achievement data from "Tnu'fa" exams.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Education Minister Yoav Kisch canceled the national "Mitzav" assessment exams effective immediately.
- The cancellation contradicts recommendations from the Moyal Committee and RAAM"A.
- Kisch ordered the Ministry of Education to cease all cooperation with RAAM"A.
- The decision impacts upcoming math tests for ninth graders.
- Previous "Tnu'fa" exams revealed low student achievement in science, technology, English, and math.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch announced Tuesday the immediate cancellation of the "Mitzav" national assessment exams, a move that directly contradicts the recommendations of the Moyal Committee. The cancellation, effective immediately and impacting upcoming math tests for ninth graders, has been described as creating chaos within the education system.
Kisch has also instructed the Ministry of Education to cease all cooperation with the National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation (RAAM"A) and its decisions, barring the authority's director from ministry meetings. This action effectively dismisses RAAM"A's professional standing and invalidates the results of the "Tnu'fa" tests, which previously revealed low student achievement.
Previously, in September, Kisch attempted to block the publication of the "Tnu'fa" test results, which showed that only 3% of ninth graders fully met the curriculum requirements in science and technology for the 2024-2025 school year. In English for sixth graders, 36% fully met requirements, and in math, 37% did. The Moyal Committee had recommended ensuring continuity in measurement methods and strengthening collaboration between the ministry and RAAM"A, recommendations Kisch has now rejected.
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